Longitude #67

Leaders

The Orientalist

We need to deconstruct the Islamic State. While feared as terrorist organization, it is exaggerated as a geopolitical threat. More than anything, it is a symptom of a deeper power struggle in the region.

The French right has a storied tradition. Each new leader tries to mold the republic according to the historic context and to his own interpretation of republican values. Now François Fillon stands poised to initiate a shift in that tradition.

France is gearing up for presidential elections in the midst of a wave of anti-EU populism. With the Socialists in crisis, the center-right must strike a difficult balance if it hopes to navigate between the ascendant far-right and the shattered left.

The government of Matteo Renzi fell for a variety of reasons. But the electorate’s resounding rejection of his proposed structural reforms is a symptom of a much deeper refusal – that of a general unwillingness in the developed world to adapt to reality.

China

Tensions between China and Donald Trump flared up after the President-elect took an unprecedented phone call from Taiwan’s leader. Such slights could seriously damage an important bilateral relationship.

Featured briefing

New technology creates more jobs than it destroys. Job losses can be offset by employment growth in areas such as computing, math and engineering. Every robot worker will need a maker, a manager and a maintenance person.

Family businesses in emerging markets are different from those in developed countries. They benefit from a greater sense of cohesion. With proper planning they will be instrumental in powering economies that are struggling with the decline of big industry.

Africa

Investing in the agricultural industry would seem like an obvious way of dealing with hunger and poverty in Africa. Unfortunately, that aid – with its attendant ecological disruptions and land grabs – may spell doom for the continent.

Talking heads

The possible premature end of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), signed last year, should sound the death knell of American preeminence in Asia. But since influence would automatically pass to China, it would also raise some strategic issues whose solution is far from being adequately handled by Beijing. Should Trump pull the United States out of the Treaty right after having taken office, the Communist leadership would be left alone in the daunting task of sorting the two sides of the Pacific out of a period of uncertainty.

World money

The tremors felt in the world economy belie the recent optimism of the markets. Although a very modest growth continues, severe structural problems call for a radical overhaul of the monetary system and social organization.

Smart thinking

Utopia may be closer than we think. Some researchers are giving serious consideration to the idea of everyone getting paid for doing nothing. Impossible? Despite evidence to the contrary, some say it might be a good idea.